Pub destroyed in major fire six years ago today WILL reopen, firm promises

A picture of the fire that ravaged the Bell Inn pub (Image: Jenny Hollingworth)

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“Last year there was no top floor – it used to be the family room. The kitchen used to be upstairs too.

“I remember in the summer it was packed with people.”

Elaine Newey, who works at the Anchor Hotel and Bar on Anchor Lane still remembers the time when it went up in flames.

“We were all at work when it set on fire,” she said. “I went about ten years ago and it was alright.

“I would be happy to see it reopen.”

Bell Inn pub fire original article

This was the East Lindsey Target report from Wednesday, June 5, 2013.

An electrical fault is thought to have caused a fire which severely damaged an Ingoldmells pub.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called to the Bell Inn, Anchor Lane shortly after 9.30pm on Thursday evening to a fire on the first floor of the premises.

Eight crews were in attendance and at the height of the fire 30 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze. All those in the pub at the time were safely evacuated and one person was treated for smoke inhalation.

Dave Roberts from Lincoln runs the quiz at the pub. He said: "There was a pub quiz happening on the ground floor with 40-50 people there.

"There was a kids’ disco on the first floor with 10-15 families - they think the fire started in the roof.

“The fire in the roof got going before anyone noticed because there was a kids’ disco upstairs.

"I saw the manager go outside and I thought there was a fight but he came in and asked everyone to leave as quickly and calmly as they could.

“We checked the building to make sure that everyone was out. Then I grabbed my kit and someone got my dog and the building was well alight by the time we got out.”

Zoe Farmer was in the pub with her boyfriend when the fire broke out.

She said: “The staff were absolutely brilliant. They got everyone out and to a safe place. Everyone was just so shocked that it had happened in such a short time.

"It was scary to think it was in the roof over the kids’ area but staff got them out quickly and safely.”

Eyewitness Jenny Hollingworth told the Target: “As I let my dog out onto our veranda I heard the sirens and saw the blaze in the distance.

“At around 10pm the smoke was so thick you couldn’t see down the road from Coastfield’s reception. We were relieved to find everyone was out ok and all the staff were congregated in the car park.

“It’s sad to see such a popular pub go up in flames so quickly.”

Two crews from Skegness, together with teams from Alford, Wainfleet, Spilsby, Mablethorpe, Woodhall Spa and Leverton attended the blaze and a hydraulic platform was also in use.

Investigations found the fire was believed to have been caused by a fault in a neon light transformer located in the attic.

The building suffered severe fire damage to the first floor and roof space, much of which collapsed.

For some, the blaze has brought back memories of the 2007 fires which destroyed The Dunes at Winthorpe and the Grand Parade Complex in Skegness, followed by a fire which devastated Whisky A Go Go in Skegness in 2008.

Dog walker James Gray was at the scene the following morning. He said: “I heard it on the news and thought I would come down to see what had happened. I can’t believe it’s another pub gone in the area.”